A MOTORIST who caused the death of a cyclist by crashing into his bike in a tragic accident has been given a suspended prison sentence.

John Fields could not explain why he did not see cyclist Andrew Hutton (pictured) before he hit the bike from behind on the A174 near Eston.

There was no alcohol, speeding, phone use or deliberate act to explain the fatal error, Teesside Crown Court heard.

A judge decided not to jail the remorseful van driver yesterday after hearing of his “impeccable” character.

Prosecutor Matthew Bean said Fields’ unexplained inattention and failure to see Mr Hutton caused the accident.

He allowed his van to drift across the rumble strips of the dual carriageway just after 7am on October 7 last year. He drove into the back of the bike without appearing to alter course to overtake, to brake or to slow down.

“At the point of impact Mr Hutton would have been in view for at least 11 seconds,” said Mr Bean.

Experienced cyclist Mr Hutton, 45, was riding westbound on a quiet road from his Redcar home to work in Stokesley when he was hit and thrown from his bicycle.

The popular electrician was wearing a helmet, was “very visible” with lights on and was well positioned on the road.

Fields was driving his Volkswagen Transporter in the same direction from his girlfriend’s home. He was at least 10mph below the 70mph speed limit.

He stopped after the crash, called 999 and tried to give first aid to Mr Hutton, who died at the scene.

Fields said afterwards: “He just came out of nowhere... I just heard a loud bang.”

The 48-year-old motorist, of Myrtle Road, Eaglescliffe, yesterday admitted causing death by careless driving. He denied causing death by dangerous driving.

His barrister Peter Makepeace said: “He has a heartfelt, profound understanding of the tragedy in this case, and a very real, deeply felt remorse which will remain with him for the rest of his life.

“He did not see Mr Hutton. He endlessly racks his brain to try and understand how that could be.”

He said Fields faced the consequences and was distraught in harrowing police interviews.

He told how diverse references showed the dad lived an “impeccable life”, was a hardworking, stable, quiet and decent man, and a “sensible, unnoticed, quiet driver”.

Judge Howard Crowson said Mr Hutton’s death was the result of Fields’ driving error.

“This day was a tragedy that he will live with forever,” he said. “It is a difficult matter to judge.”

He said it would do little good to jail Fields, giving him a 36-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months with 250 hours’ unpaid work, a year’s supervision and a one-year driving ban.

Fields, in tears in the dock during the hearing, thanked the judge as he left court carrying a holdall.

Judge Crowson said such sentences should not try to measure the value of a life.

He said a moving statement from Mr Hutton’s wife Kathryn, not read out in court, told of her loss but did not seek vengeance.

She previously said: “Andrew was one of the loveliest, kindest, most genuine people you could ever meet and he had that rare quality that made it impossible not to like him.

“His cheerful disposition and willingness to do anything for anybody made him popular with family, friends and customers alike.

“He was hard-working and completely devoted to his family, and will be a huge miss to everyone he knew.”